Donald V. Borgwardt was born and raised in Beltsville, MD. A graduate of High Point High School in 1961, he further pursued a degree from American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service, graduating in 1966. Don served his apprenticeship for his Maryland funeral license at Ritchie Bros. Funeral Home in Upper Marlboro, and his apprenticeship for his DC funeral license at Huntemann Funeral Home. He worked for several area funeral homes before buying Beall Funeral Home in Port Republic, MD in 1978.

In 1984, construction began for the present facility located at 4400 Powder Mill Road and concluded with Don hosting an open house for the Beltsville community in March 1985. The original funeral home in Port Republic was sold to the Rausch family in 1989. A lifelong member of First Lutheran Church of Bowie, Don serves as the congregation’s current president and is a member of the Board of Elders. Don has been deeply committed to the local community through active involvement in the local Jaycees, Rotary Club, Birmingham Masonic Lodge #188, and Prince George’s County Crime Solvers. Some of his professional accomplishments include past president of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards, past president of the State Board of Morticians, and board member of the Maryland State Funeral Directors Association.

As a longtime member of the State Board of Morticians, his dedication to the funeral service profession has been acknowledged by a Governor’s Citation for Distinguished Career and State Service, a Maryland State Senate and House of Delegates Citation for Dedicated Service to the State Board of Morticians, as well as numerous awards from funeral industry associations. Don attributes his success to honest and dedicated service to every family in their time of need.